Electrical dynamometer



1947' v A. M. JACCIDBSEN 2,432,900

ELECTRICAL DYNAMOMETER Filed Nov. 1, 1944 ATTORNEY WITNESSES: fig. 2. INVENTOR w. flags MJawbse/r 31W ii W Patented Dec. 16, 1947 2,43%;900 1 c nc rarcAL DYNAMOMETER:

Aage M. Jacobson, Westinghouse Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Electric Corporation,

East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 1, 1944, Serial No. 561,467 8 Claims. (Cl. 73-436) This invention relates, generally, to electromagnetic devices and more. particularly to electromagnetic devicesof the typeuseful in detecting mechanical strain.

This invention is related tothe copending application of Frank W. Godsey, Jr., Serial No. 455,258, filed August 18,1942, entitledv Power measuring device for rotating shafts, and to a copending application of Bernard F. Langer, and Frank W. Godsey, Jr., Serial No. 458,378, filed September 15,1942, and. entitled Torque measuring device for shafts both copending applications being assigned to the. same assignee as this application. In certain of its aspects, this invention provides improvements over the devices disclosed in. the above-mentioned. copendingapplications. This invention is. also related to Patent No. 2,349,653v assigned to, the same assignee. as. this application.

Broadly stated, the. present invention is an electromagnetic device comprising a. stationary electromagnetic unit and amagnetic rotor assembly which is magnetically coupled to the station-. ary electromagnetic unit, the rotor member of which comprisesa plurality of; relatively displaceable magnetic elements which are; linked by the magnetic flux circulating in the device and which are displaced relatively according to the shaft strain, to thus alter the distribution of the. magnetic flux circulating in, the device. in an amount indicative of the shaft strain.

A principal object of thepresent invention is to provide a, strain measuring device that will respond to selected strain characteristics of a shaft under load and produce an electrical quantity having simple proportionality to such l strain characteristic.

Another object of the present invention. is to provide a. strain measuring device in which all the electrical windings are'stationary.

Another object of. the present invention is to provide astrain. measuring device for a shaft which is. of. such mechanical design as to baselicomp nsatin for relative changes of position of the component parts. due to dimensional and electrical. chan esv resulting, from temperature changes, end. thrust of the shaft and bending of the shaft, the, torqueloading of which is to be measured.

Another object. of this invention isto provide a torque sensitive. device that. will respond to the slight circumferential or torsional deflections, that is, twist of small gauge lengths of shafts.

A further object of this invention is to provide astrain measuring d vice of compact co s ruction that will be adaptable for use, in, relatively 'vide a strain. measuring small spaces.

A specific object. oi this invention is to prodevice for a rotatable shaft that may be. calibrated statically.

A further specific. object of the present tion is to provide device for measuring. the torsional deflection of a rotatable shaft whiqhda vice is of balanced construction. that it, may operate at high speeds without. introducing vibration into the given. shaft or. shait. system.

t e j s and advantages will b om apparent from a study of, the; following specifica tion when. considered. in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, inwhich;

Figure. 1 is a view partially in longitudinal section of an electromagnetic strain measuring device embodying. the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is aview looking endwise oi the device illustratedin Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a strain measuring unit. embodying thev strain sensitivedevice illustrated in Figs,.,1v and. 2.

Referring new t i s. 1. andZ. of the drawing, the strain measuring device illustrated therein comprises, generally. a rotor assembly 3 which is disposed members.

firmly secured, to. rotate with. the. shaft I and, a stator 5 which .isconcentrically disposed about the rotor assembly 3. The rotorassembly 3 comprises an. annular member 6 which, as shown, is. of single piece construction, butwhich may be fabriT cated or otherwise. formed, for example, by die casting or machining in any suitable. manner. This annular member 6 is preferably made of material which is nonmagnetic and. has high electrical conductivity. It is provided. with two. axial-.- ly displaced sections. 1 and 8.,and. a central sec.- tion 9. These sections are joined by the helically l0. and II, the helical members In joining the axially displaced section 1 with the central section 9, and the helical members ll joining the axially displaced-section 8. with the central section 9. The members 10- are. disposed in the left-hand screw direction, while the members II are disposed in the right-hand screw. di-

rection. Bushings. l2 and 13 preferably of non,-

magnetic material, disposed respectively between the sections I and 8 and the shaft i, provide means for securing the, annular torsion member 6 to the shaft so that it may be strainedaccording to the straining movements. of the shaft. A rially displaced rings l4 and 15 and a centralring it disposed therebetween, suchthat egual air gaps l1 and I8 are formed between the con.- f n ins f ces of t ese attachments. are refines:

tively secured to the axially displaced sections 1 and 8 and the central section 9 of the annular member 6. With this arrangement it will be apparent that when counterclockwise torque is transmitted from left to right of the shaft, as viewed in Fig. 1, the helical members ID are unwound while the helical members I l are wound up. Thus an unbalanced force is exerted upon the central section 9 tending to move this sec tion towards the right, as viewed in this figure, thereby decreasing the air gap l8 and increasing the air gap I l to thus oppositely change the magnetic characteristics of these air gaps. Since the sections of the annular member 6, that is the sections 1 and 8 thereof, are firmly secured to the shaft, the only relative movement of these members which occurs, results from the slight axial shortening of the shaft I when it is strained in torsion. Such movement, however, equally affects both air gaps, thus no errors are introduced from this source. In a similar manner, temperature effects tending to produce changes in the physical dimensions of the parts, similarly affects all the parts of the assembly; thus any air ap changes which are produced are in the same direction and an unbalance of the air gap characteristics does not occur. Should the shaft be subjected to bending loads tending to deflect the shaft about its rotational axis, it will be apparent that the diametrically opposite portions of each air gap l1 and I8 will change in opposite directions because of the symmetrical arrangement of the magnetic ring elements l4, l5 and I6 and as follows the total magnetic reluctance of each air gap remains unchanged. If such bending loads are unsymmetrical with respect to the axis of the shaft, and each of the air gaps is thereby changed such that its total magneti reluctance is no longer the same as for zero bending load, it will be apparent that both air gaps and I3 will be changed in the same direction and, as a result, no unbalance of the magnetic character istics of the air gaps will occur.

The stator or stationary member 5 comprises the magnetic housing I9 which is formed in two sections, a left-hand section 20 and a right-hand section 2|. Each of these sections is preferably formed of sheet metal having good magnetic properties. However, they may be formed or fabricated in any suitable manner of magnetic material. The housing shown, however, is preferred since joints in the magnetic circuitswhich ordinarily tend to increase the reluctance of the p and increase the losses in the magnetic circuit are eliminated. Each housing section is provided with flanged extremities 22 which form peripheral surfaces concentrically disposed with respect to the peripheral surfaces of the magnetic shaft rings I4, I 5 and IE to thus form the circular air gaps 23, 24 and 25 which are stable in magnetic characteristic, whether the rotor is rotating or stationary. By that is meant the magnetic characteristics of the air gaps remains substantially unchanged from zero speed of the shaft to its maximum speed. Annular coils 26 and 27 are respectively disposed in the housing sections 28 and 2|. The coils 26 and 27 are preferably connected in adjacent legs of a conventional Wheatstone anced to produce an electrical balance of the bridge for zero torque of the shaft. Conductors 29 and 30 are the means through which preferably an alternating current is supplied to the bridge circuit, although any suitable uniformly varying electrical current may be utilized. An indicating instrument, such as 3|, is connected across the output terminals of the electrical bridge circuit.

Upon energization of the bridge circuit with alternating current, flows of alternating magnetic fiux may be induced in the magnetic circuit in the instantaneous directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. The magnetic circuit for the coil 26 begins, for example, at the left-hand side of the housing 20 as viewed in Fig. 1, and includes the circular air gap 23, the magnetic ring M, the air gap IT, a portion of the central ring IS, the central air gap 25 to the other side of the left-hand housing section. The magnetic circuit for the coil 21 may begin at the right-hand side of the housing 2| and includes the circular air gap 24, the magnetic ring l5, the air gap I8, a portion of the central ring It, the central air gap 25 to the other side of the right-hand housing section 2|. Thus it will be seen that each coil 26 and 21 has a circulating alternating magnetic flux linked therewith, and for zero torque of the shaft with the air gaps l7 and 8 having like magnetic characteristics, these alternating magnetic fluxes are substantially equal in value. Thus the coils 26 and 27, which are preferably identical, have like impedance characteristics. Hence, at zero torque of the shaft, the electrical properties of the coils are the same and the bridge circuit 28 is in a substantially electrically balanced condition.

Assuming now that torque is transmitted, as previously described, in a counterclockwise direction from left to right of the shaft, it will be apparent that the air gap l8 will be decreased and the air gap I! increased, thus the magnetic flux linking the coil 2'! is increased in density, and the magnetic flux linking the coil 26 is decreased in density. This, in effect, increases the impedance of the coil 2'! and decreases the impedance of the coil 26 to substantially proportionally change the voltages across these coils. As a result, a differential voltage proportional to the voltage unbalance of the coils 26 and 21, appears across the output terminals of the bridge circuit and a scale deflection of the indicating instrument occurs indicative of this voltage unbalance.

The purpose of utilizing an annular torsion member, such as 6, which is made from metal of high electrical conductivity is primarily to provide an element which functions in effect as a single turn short-circuited Winding. By providing such an element, any magnetic flux produced by the windings 26 and 21 tending to link the shaft, induces flows of alternating current in the torsion member. These flows of alternating current, in turn, produce a magnetic flux in the shaft in opposition to the main magnetic fiux. By properly designing the annular torsion member 6, it is possible to obtain a magnetic flux which is substantially equal and opposite to the main magnetic flux to thus reduce the total magnetic flux in the shaft to zero. Thus any power losses resulting from eddy currents set up in the shaft are substantially eliminated and the energy level of operation of the device maintained at a substantiaily high value. In addition, magnetostrictive or elasto-resistive properties of the shaft, or both, and their resulting electrical effects, if not uniform u hout the gauge length of the shaft and which might produce a measurable electrical unbalance of the coils, are eliminated.

This invention provides an inherently compact strain measuring device which may be operated at rotational speeds which are limited only by the anechanical H strength of the rotating elements; Since there are no delicate coil assembliss rotating with the shaft, these operating speeds may be considerablyhigh, Further, the

symmetrical annular constructionfofthe rot/0r assembly provides an inherently balanced assembly which is substantially fre or dynamic unbalance throughoutthe range of the rotational speeds of "the shaft Furthen-fsince allthe rotating elements are magnetically coupled to the stationary coils, slip'rin'gsand brushes which are undesirable in uch; assemblies; both from electrical and mechanical points of "view; are eliminated.

The foregoing-disclosure and the showings made in" the drawing are merely ilflustrative' of the "principles of this invention and are not to be considered in a limiting s nse; the only lii'nitations are tobedetermined from the scope of the'appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a magnetic device, the combination of, a "stationary electromagnetic member, a rotor member, said rotor member including a'pair of axially displaced rings and'a central ring disposed therebetween such that snialia'xial' air gaps areformed between the confronting transverse faces of said rings, saidrings being formed of magnetic material 'and being disposed with respect to said stationary member such that air gaps of constant magnetic characteristic are formed therebetween, and means oi nonmagnetic material including three axially displaced sectionssjoined by oppositely disposed helices, mechanically connected to said axially'displaced rings at said sections.

2. In a magnetic device, the combination of, a stationary electromagnetic member, a rotor member, said rotor member including three axially displaced rings and a central ring disposed therebetween such that smallaxial air gaps are formed between the confrontingtransverse faces of said rings, said rings being formed of magnetic material and being disposed with respect to said stationary electromagnetic member such that air gaps of constant magnetic characteristic are formed therebetween, a member of nonmagnetic material having two axially displaced sections and a central section, a plurality of members having the configuration of a righthand helix joining one of said axially displaced section-s and said central section, a plurality of members having the configuration of a left-hand helix joining the other of said axially displaced sections and said central section, said axially displaced sections and the central section being each secured to one of said rings.

3. An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, a stationary member of magnetic material, electrical coil means associated with said stationary member, a plurality of ring-like elements of magnetic material which are so axially disposed that small axial air gaps are formed between the confronting transverse faces thereof, said ring-like elements being disposed with respect to said stationary member such that air gaps of constant magnetic characteristic are formed therebetween, and means of non-magnetic material comprising rightand left-hand helical sections, joining said ring-like elements, such that cooperating elements forming one axial air gap are joined by a section having a right-hand helix and cooperating elements forming another axial air gap are joined by a section having a left-hand helix.

4.-An electromagnetic device comprising, in combination, an annular stationary member of magnetic material, annular coils associated with the stationary member, a rotor member, a pair of axially displaced rings forming a part of the rotor member and a central ring disposed between the axially displaced rings such that small, axial air gaps are formed between .the confronting transverse faces thereof, said rings being formed of magnetic material and being concentrically disposed with respect to the sta tionary member such that circular air gaps of constant magnetic characteristic are formed 'therebetween, a member of nonmagnetic material having two axially displaced sections and a central section disposed therebetween, a plurality of members having the configuration of a right-hand helix joining, one axially displaced section and the central section, a plurality of members having the configuration of a. lefthand helix joining the other. axially displaced section. and the central section, said axiallydisplaced sections and the central sectionbeing ea'chsecured to one of said rings.

5....Anmelectromagnetic device comprising: in combination, an annular stationary member of magnetic material having transversely disposed annular: sections centrally thereof and at its axial. extremities such that peripheral surfaces are formed atthe central and axial extremities whereby said member isdivided into two axially displaced sections, anannular magnetizing coil associated withv eachof said sections, a rotor member comprising a pair of axially displaced ring-like elements and a, central ring disposed therebetween such thatsmall axial air gaps are formed between the confronting transverse faces of said ring-s, said axially displaced rings being formed of magnetic materiahsaidaxially displaced rings being concentrically disposed with respect to said annular sections at the extremities of said stationary member and said central ring being concentrically disposed with respect to the central annular sections of said stationary member such that small circular air gaps are formed therebetween, an annular member of nonmagnetic material having good electrical conductivity comprising two axially displaced annular sections and a central annular section, a plurality of members having the configuration of a right-hand helix joining one of said axially displaced sections and said central section, a plurality of members having the configuration, of a left-hand helix joining the other of said axial sections and said central section, said axially displaced sections and said central section being respectively secured to the axially displaced rings and the centra1 ring.

6. In a magnetic device, the combination of, a stationary member of magnetic material, a rotor member of magnetic material, said rotor member being disposed with respect to said stationary member such that airgaps of constant magnetic characteristic are formed therebetween whether the rotor is rotating or stationary, means for producing a magnetic flux linking both of said members across said airgaps, a plurality of axially displaced elements of magnetic material arranged to form small axial airga'ps therebetween, said elements forming a part of said rotor member and being linked by said magnetic flux, a sleeve of non-magnetic material including a plurality of axially displaced sections corresponding in number and in axial spacing to said axially displaced sections, means forming oppositely disposed helices mechanically interconnecting the consecutive axially displaced sections so that the application of torque to said sleeve unwinds one helix as the other is wound causing relative axial movement of said sections, and means mechanically connecting said sleeve with said axially displaced elements at each of the axially displaced sections thereof to effect movement of the respective elements with the section to which each is connected.

7. In a magnetic device, the combination of, a stationary member of magnetic material, a rotor member of magnetic material, said rotor member being disposed with respect to said stationary member such that airgaps of constant magnetic characteristic are formed there between whether the rotor member is rotating or stationary, means for producing a magnetic fiux linking said members across said airgaps, at least two axially displaced elements of magnetic material arranged with the axially confronting faces thereof in proximity to form an axial airgap therebetween, said elements forming a part of said rotor member and being linked by said magnetic flux, a sleeve of non-magnetic material comprised of at least two axially displaced sections joined by helices disposed in the same helical direction, said sleeve being joined to said elements at said sections.

8. Apparatus for determining the torque of a shaft comprising, in combination, a stationary member of magnetic material, magnetizing coils supported by the stationary member, a rotor member, a plurality of ring-shaped elements of magnetic material forming a part of the rotor member and disposed such that small axial airgaps are formed between the confronting extremities thereof, said elements being disposed with respect to the stationary member so that airgaps of constant magnetic characteristic are formed therebetween whether the rotor is rotating or stationary, a sleeve of non-magnetic material comprising a plurality of axially displaced sections each connected to one of said plurality of elements to support the element, means forming oppositely disposed helices mechanically interconnecting the consecutive axially displaced sections so that the application of torque to said sleeve unwinds one helix as the other is wound causing relative axial movement of said sections, means mechanically connecting said sleeve with said axially displaced elements at each of the axially displaced sections thereof to effect movement of the respective elements with the section to which each is connected, said sleeve being constructed and arranged to be supported on said shaft to have applied thereto a torque loading corresponding to shaft torque, means for supplying alternating current to said magnetizing coils, and means responsive to electrical changes of said coils. AAGE M. JACOBSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

